Conversion of delta11-steroids to 11-oxygenated steroids



United States Patent 3,277,121 CONVERSION OF A -STEROIDS TO 11-OXY- GENATED STEROIDS Kekhusroo R. Bharucha and Heinrich M. Schrenk, To-

ronto, Ontario, Canada, assignors to Canada Packers Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada No Drawing. Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,785 23 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.1)

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of 12m-iodo-l1-oxygenated steroids and ll-oxygenated steroids devoid of a C-12 substituent from corresponding A -steroid compounds. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of LLB-hydroxyand ll-keto-steroids in good yield from the corresponding A -steroid compounds through the use of hypoiodous acid to provide an llfl-hydroxy-lZa-iodo derivative from which iodine can be readily removed.

The invention is useful for the preparation of steroid intermediates including the known ll-oxygenated steroid intermediates which have been used for the synthesis of cortisone, hydrocortisone, other corticoidal hormones, and analogs.

Reichstein in US. Patent 2,403,683 has disclosed that the addition of hypobromous acid, generated from N- bromacetamide (NBA), to the A -double bond of certain A -unsaturated steroid compounds proceeds to give the llfl-hydroxy 'lla-bromo derivatives. The yield, however, is very poor. Fieser and Fieser (Steroids, 1959, pages 636 7) have shown that the application of this reaction to methyl A -3-keto-etiocholenate provides the 1lB-hydroxy-l2a-bromo derivative in only 24% yield and in addition produces the 11,12 dibromide and 9-bromo- A -ester. We have carried out Reichsteins process on methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate with NBS (N-bromosuccinimide) and with NBA using catalytic amounts of perchloric acid, with :m'aximum yields obtainable being in the order of 30% (after oxidation and zinc treatment to remove bromine). The bromohydrin is diiiicu lt to isolate in pure state by crystallization and the same is true for the corresponding ketone, perhaps because the reaction gives a complex mixture. Many attempts have been made to improve the bromohydrin reaction but to our knowledge none have proved to be completely successful. This has been one of the reasons while the bile acid route to ll-oxygenated steroids via the A -compounds has not proved as attractive as other routes.

We have now unexpectedly found that, in marked contrast to hypobromous acid, hypoiodous acid (HOI) adds on very readily to A -unsaturated steroid compounds to give the 11B-hydroxy-12a-iodo derivatives in excellent yields. Yields of 90% and better have been obtained. Moreover, the iodine atom at C-12 can be removed quite readily and in nearly quantitative yield by hydrogenolysis, e.g., with a Raney nickel catalyst, to give the corresponding llp hydroxy steroid. The 11fi-hydroxy-12m-iodo steroid can be oxidized with chromic acid to give the 11-keto 12a-iodo compound and the iodine removed from the latter by treatment with Zn dust in acetic acid to provide the 1=1-keto compound, again in excellent yields. Overall yields (based on the A -steroid starting material) of better than 50% (up to about 90%) of the corresponding llfi-hydroxy and ll-keto compounds, after bydrogenolysis to replace the iodine atom with hydrogen, are readily obtained.

:It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide an improved process for the preparation of steroid derivatives from A -steroidal starting materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvement in the process of converting A -steroid compounds to ll-oxygenated derivatives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for increasing the yield of ll-oxygenated steroids from A -steroid compounds of the bile acid series, thereby rendering this route to therapeutically useful end products more attractive commercially.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing substantially pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-llflhydroxy-cholanate in good yield from methyl 3u-acetoxy- A -cholenate.

The process in its broad aspects can be applied to any of the known steriod derivatives having a A -double bond. It may, for example, be employed with A derivatives of ergostane, coprostane, sitostane, stigmastane, spirostane, allospirostane, cholane, allocholane, pregnane, allopregnane, and-rostane and testane, which additionally may be substituted in the nucleus or in the side chain. The process is especially advantageous in improving the economies of the bile acid and hecogenin routes to therapeutically useful steroids. Thus, it may be conveniently employed with A -derivatives of desoxycholic acid, which we have found can be produced in good yields by conversion of desoxycholic acid into the 3-mono ester of methyl desoxycholate followed by sulfonation-deliydrosulfonylation to introduce A -unsaturation. T'his procedure is described in detail in copending application S.N. 309,404, filed September 17, 1963, now Pat. No. 3,164,616. v

The reaction between the A -steroid and hypoiodous acid (HOI) is conveniently carried out in the presence of a suitable aqeuous organic solvent, such as an alcohol or an ether. The preferred solvents for the reaction are dioxane and tertiary butanol. The HOI may be generated from N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) or other N-iodoamides which will decompose in the presence of water to form HOI.

The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a strong acid such as perchloric (HCIO whereby the tendency for formation of undesired by-products is suppressed. T his expedient has also been used in preparation of bromohydrins but the yields obtained in preparation of the iodohydrins are none the less startingly improved in contrast to the bromohydrin process.

The reaction to the iodohydrin takes place rapidly and with ease at room temperature, but higher or lower temperatures may be used if desired. Recovery of the iodohydrin in e.-g., yields is accomplished by precipitation with water. Recovery of the crude iodohydrin is improved by evaporating part of the solvent of the reaction mixture prior to precipitation in :water. Purification of the crude iodohydrin is accomplished by dissolution of the recovered precipitate in a suitable solvent, such as aqueous dioxane or methanol, followed by crystallization from the solvent.

We have also found that the reaction to the iodohydrin proceeds quite readily when the HOI is generated without resort to an N-iodoamide as by in situ generation from mercuric oxide and elemental iodine. Further economies in the process are realized by this expedient which eliminates an expensive reagent.

The water precipitated reaction product in this instance, constitutes iodohydrin containing mercuric salts (HgO, HgI which are preferably removed prior to crystallizing the iodohydrin from organic solvents. Aqueous KI solution has been found very useful for this purpose since it dissolves both HgO and Hgl extremely readily. Separation of the iodohydrin and mercuric salts might also be accomplished by use of ion exchange resin technique.

As aforestated, the iodohydrin can be subjected to deiodination by hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst to provide the llfi-hydroxy-derivative unsubstituted at C-l2, or may first be converted to the 11-keto-12-iodo- '3 derivative by CrO oxidation followed by treatment with zinc in. acetic acid to remove the iodine atom. The hydrogenolysis reaction, if properly conducted, proceeds almost quantitatively.

While this reaction may be'conducted' by hydrogen treatment in the presence of other metal hydrogenation catalysts, e.g., palladium on charcoal, Raney nickel is preferred. Care should be taken to ensure the catalyst is not alkaline as alkalinity may result in formation of undesired epoxides. Pretreatment of the catalyst with an acid, e.g., acetic, followed by washing with distilled water to substantial neutrality is a wise precaution.

Deiodination by hydrogenation in the presence of Raney nickel proceeds to completion at room temperature in a solvent mixture of benzene and methanol, provided a substantial excess of the catalyst is employed. In a mixture of three parts benzene and four parts methanol deiodination was complete with 10 parts by weight of catalyst to 1 part by weight of the steroid. The amount of catalyst may be reduced by including in the deiodination reaction a compound which will react with the hydroiodic acid formed during the hydrogenation and remove it from the sphere of the reaction. An alkali metal salt of a lower alkanoic acid, such as sodium acetate, is useful for this purpose. By use of this expedient the hydrogenation reaction will proceed with very much less catalyst. As little as 1:1 proportions of catalyst to iodo-compound by weight have been found satisfactory and even smaller proportions could undoubtedly be used.

It has also been found advantageous, from the standpoint of high yields in less time and with less catalyst to conduct this reaction under pressure. Pressures of eg 2-7 atmospheres are satisfactory. Methyl 3u-acetoxyllfl-hydroxy-cholanate has been produced in quantitative yield by hydrogenation of the iodohydrin for about 6 hours at 50 p.s.i.

The process is illustrated by the following diagrams:

-- Raney Nickel Ac 0 Zn-Ac O H In the foregoing series of reactions hypoiodous acid to give the IIB-hYdIOXY-IZoc-iOdO compound (H) in about 90% yield. The iodohydrin (II) can be hydrogenolyzed in the presence of Raney nickel as the catalyst to give methyl 3u-acetoxy-llfl-hydroxy-cholenate (III) in substantially quantitative yield. The compound (H) may be readily crystallized in substantially pure form, as from methanol or aqueous dioxane with 85-90% recovery. The iodine atom at 0-12 can also be removed by oxida-. tion of the compound (II) with chromic acid to give the corresponding iodo-ketone (IV) which on treatment with Zn-AcOH is converted into methyl 3a-acetoxy-l1-ketocholenate (V), both of these steps proceeding in excellent yields 95%).

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples of practice. Wherever possible, operations were carried out in an inert atmosphere of dry nitrogen. Thin-..

layer chromatograms (TLC) were carried out on silica gel using a mixture (3:1) of cyclohexane-ethyl acetate. The spots were made visibleeby spraying the chromato gram with a 10% solution of phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol, and Warming. Ultra violet absorption measurements were carried out in ethanol. All temperatures are in degrees centigrade- EXAMPLE 1 Comparison of bromohydrin and iodohydrin reactions (a) To a magnetically stirred solution of 0.215 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate in 8 ml. of purified dioxane and 3 ml. of water, two drops 70-72% HClO were added followed by 0.083 g. NBA '(N-bromacetamide). The latter dissolved within one minute. After 18 minutes stirring a pale yellow color developed, which was discharged 3 minutes later by the addition of freshly prepared 5% aqueous Na SO solution (17- 18 drops). Isolation of the product by precipitation into water gave 0.224 g. of a colorless solid, MJP. 152-l7 3 C. (143 C.

norm

(H010 AC0 AcO- (V) sinters, |l25 C. shrinks). Analysis by TLC showed three (HOI) reacts with methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate (I) 75 nearly equal spots.

A 0.216 g. portion of the above crude bromohydrin was oxidized using 55 mg. CrO 5.5 ml. AcOH and 0.15 ml. water to give 11-keto-12-bromo compound as a pale yellow solid (0.181 g.), MJP. '1-38-157 C. (165 sinter-s; 120 shrinks),

Eig 238 m,u=44.9 in ethanol.

From the intensity of the 16 80 cm." band in the LR. spectrum, the amount of A 12-keto compound was estimated to be about 1 1%. TLC showed 3 spots.

A 154 mg. portion of the crude bromoketone was debrominated by heating on a steam-bath in 1.5 ml. glacial acetic acid with 154 mg. Zn dust for minutes. Additional Zn dust (76 mg.) was then added and the heating continued for further 15 minutes. After filtration and pouring into water, the product was isolated by extraction with ether to give a yellow semi-solid (122 mg.),

E1 3 240 m =42.8 in ethanol.

From the LR. spectrum (1680 cm.- band), the A -12- ketone content appears to be about 7%. Crystallization of 99 mg. from hexane-ether (9:1) gave 50 mg., M.P. 132-134" C. (129 sinters). Beilstein testnegative (Ott and Reichstein, Helv. Chim. Acta., 1943, 26, 1810, give M.P. 131-133 for methyl 3u-acetoxy-ll-keto-cho1anate). The overall yield based on A compound is about 33%. Recrystallization of 42 mg. from hexane-ether (about 3:2) gave 28 mg. M.P. 133-135 C. (132 sinters). The use of 0.107 g. of NBS (N-bromosuccinimide) in place of NBA (N-bromacetamide) in step 1 of the foregoing procedure provided substantially the same result.

'(b) 0.215 g. of methyl '3u-acetoXy-A -cholenate was treated with 0.135 g. of NIS '(N-iodosuccinimide) in 8 ml. dioxane and 3 ml. of water in the presence of 2 drops of 70-72% HClO for about minutes to give crude iodohydrin as a pale yellow solid (0.260 g.), 122 C. decomp. (121 sinters; 120 shrinks),

TLC showed 3 spots with the middle one about 90%, Le, the crude product was about 90% iodohydrin.

0.241 g. of the crude iodohydrin was oxidized in 5.7 ml. glacial aceticracid with 56 mg. CrO in 0.19 ml. water and 0.5 ml. acetic acid at room temperature for 2 hours as described above to give the crude iodoketone as a colorless solid (0.236 g.), M.P. 156-172 C. decomp. (125 shrinks). In ethanol, the UV. spectrum showed infiexions at 245 and 275 m and a peak at For deiodination, a 0.225 g. portion of the above solid in 2.3 ml. glacial acetic acid was heated on the steambath with stirring, while 0.225 g. Zn dust was added in small lots over 5 minutes. After '15 minutes, a further amount (01113 g.) of Zn dust was added and the heating continued for an additional 15 minutes. The mixture was then filtered and the Zn residues washed well with hot acetic acid. The combined filtrate and washings were poured into about 125 ml. cold tap-water, the mixture refrigerated for 17 hrs, filtered, washed first with dil. iNaHCO solution, then with water and finally dried at 53/ 10 mm. for '21 hrs. Wt. of colorless solid: 0.163 g. (93%), M.P. 12-8-13 1 C. (127 sinters; 119 shrinks). Beilstein test-negative,

1 238 m .=12.2 in ethanol.

EXAMPLE 2 Pure crystalline methyl 3u-acet0xy-11p-hydr0xy-12a-i0d0- cholanate using NIS in aqueous dioxane To a solution of 0.215 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate in 8 ml. of purified dioxane and 3 ml. of water, two drops of 70-72% HClO were added followed by the addition of 0.135 g. of N-iodosuccinimide. Crystallization set in after 13 minutes and after 20 minutes (from the time of the addition of NIS) the yellow color was discharged by addition of freshly prepared aqueous 5% Na SO solution (20 drops). Isolation of the product was accomplished by precipitation into water, and 0.264 g. (92% of theoretical) of a colorless solid were obtained. This solid had a melting point .132 C. (decomp.) and analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed three spots with the middle one being about Crystallization of 0.237 g. of this material from 12 ml. of dioxane and 016 ml. of water gave 0.201 g. (85%) of a product having a melting point of 133 C. (decomp.). Recrystallization of 0. 196 g. of this material from 1.6-5 ml. of dioxane and 0.5 m1. of water gave 0. 184 g. (94%) of colorless needles analyzing essentially pure methyl 3aacetoxy-l'lB-hydroxy-12a-iodocholanate, MP. 131" C. decomp. (129 C. sinters), (the M.P. varies with the rate of heating), [a] +62.33 (C.=1.0l8 in purified dioxane),

EVE 261 mg: 11.8.

Analysis.Found: C, 56.34; H, 7.60; O, 13.71; and I, 22.16%. C 7H O I requires C, 56.44; H, 7.49; O, 13.93; and I, 22.12%.

EXAMPLE 3 Methyl 3a-acet0xy-11-ket0-ch0lanate using NIS in aqueous dioxane, Cr0 oxidation and Zrz-AcOH deiodination 0.43 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholen-ate was reacted with 0.270 g. N-iodosuccinimide in 16 ml. of dioxane and 6 ml. of water in the presence of 4 drops of 70-72% H010 for 25 minutes at room temperature. Crystallization set in after about 17 minutes. After addition of 5% aqueous Na SO solution (35 to 40 drops), the product was isolated by precipitation into water. The product was a colorless solid 0.545 g. M.P. 130 C. (decomp.). This product was estimated to be about 90% methyl 3u-acetoXy-11B-hydroxy-12a-iodo-cholanate by TLC.

0.526 g. of the preceding crude iodohydrin was oxidized in glacial acetic :acid (10 ml.) with a solution of 0.122 g. of CrO in 0.5 ml. of acetic acid and 0.3 ml. of water at room temperature for 2 hours, 10 minutes. 0.1 ml. of methanol was added and 15 minutes later the product was isolated by precipitation into water. Weight of colorless solid: 0.516 g., M.P. 169-174 C. (decomp.). This product was estimated to be about 90% methyl 3aacetoxy-l l-keto-l2a-iodo-cholanate by TLC. Crystallization of a 0.250 g. portion of this crude iodo-ketone from 1.5 ml. of dioxane and 0.5 ml. of water gave 0.192 g. of colorless crystals, M.P. 181-182 C. TLC showed only one spot. Recrystallization of 0.189 g. of this product gave 0.144 g. of crystals having a melting point of 183 C. TLC again showed only one spot. For analysis, a sample of pure methyl 3u-acetoxy-l1-keto-12a-iodocholanate was obtained by recrystallization from the same mixture of solvents and showed M.P. 182-183 C.

[a] 10.55 (C.= 1.0; purified dioxane) 271 and 327 m,u=8.4 and 6.7 respectively.

Analysis-Found: C, 56.44; H, 7.23; O, 13.74; and I, 22.25%. C H O I requires C, 56.64; H, 7.22; O, 13.97; and I, 22.17%.

A 0.246 g. portion of the crude iodo-ketone (prior to crystallization) from above was deiodinated in 2.5 ml. of glacial acetic acid by heating on a steam bath for 15 minutes with 0.245 g. of zinc dust. Additional zinc dust (0.123 g.) was then added and the heating was continued fora further 20 minutes. After removal of the zinc residues by filtration, the product was isolated by precipitation into water. 0.186 g. (97%) of a colorless solid were ob- 7 tained. This product had a melting point of 130-132" C. and was found to be over 90% of methyl 3a-acetoxy-11- keto-cholanate by TLC. This crude ll-ket-one was dissolved in hexane-benzene and purified by chromatography over neutral alumina to give pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-11- keto-cholanate having a melting point 134.5-136 C.

In all the previous examples, the isolation of the crude iodohydrin was carried out by pouring the total reaction mixture into water. This resulted in large volumes with consequent slight loss of material (-10% In addition, the product was obtained in a very fine state of division with the result that the filtration process was quite slow. The isolation procedure is improved by first distilling off the bulk of the organic solvent in vacuo before pouring into water. (The vacuum distillation proceeds in a satisfactory manner at 35-40 C. and mm. Hg.) This gives the crude iodohydrin in near quantitative yields and greatly facilitates the filtration process.

EXAMPLE 4 To a slightly turbid solution of 1 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate in 40 m1. of purified dioxane and ml. water, 7072% HClO (10 drops) and 0.675 g. NIS were added, and the mixture was stirred magnetically in a stoppered flask (N atmosphere) at room temperature for minutes, crystallization having commenced 15 minutes after addition of NIS. Freshly prepared 5% w./v. aqueous Na SO solution (2.1 ml.) was then added until the yellow color was discharged. After concentration in vacuo at -40 C. (bath temp.) to a small volume, 100 ml. water was added, when the product separated out. After ref-rigerationfor 20 hours, the colorless crystals were filtered ofi (filtered extremely readily), washed with Water to pH 5.5-6 and dried at 52/10 mm. for 23 hrs. Wt.: 1.310 g. (98% M.P. 125-127 C. decomp.

Elfi 260 m .=l0.5 in ethanol TLC showed as usual 3 spots with the middle one 90%.

A 1.144 g. portion of the crude iodohydrin was crystallized from 100 ml. distilled methanol under refrigeration for 23 hrs. to give 0.932 g. (81.4%) of colorless needles, M.P. 135 C. decomp. (133 C. shrinks and discolors). The M.P. varies with the rate of heating. TLC showed only one spot. Second crop: 0.080 g. (7%), M.P. 132- 133 decomp. TLC showed essentially one spot.

To a suspension of the above crystallized methyl 3aacetoxy-l1fi-hydroxy-12a-iodo-cholanate (0.54 g.) in 10 ml. glacial acetic acid, a solution of 0.126 g. of CrO in 0.25 ml. glacial acetic acid and 0.3 ml. water was added (with cooling), another 0.25 ml. of acetic acid being used for rinsing. The mixture was magnetically stirred at room temperature for 2%. hrs., a clear solution resulting after about 1 hours stirring. 0.1 ml. methanol was added to destroy the excess oxidizing agent and 15 minutes later the solution was poured into water. After refrigeration for 2% hrs., the product was filtered, washed with water to pH 5 and dried at 54/10 mm. for 16 hrs. Wt. of colorless solid: 0.533 g. (99%) M.P. l79180 C. (178 sinters, 162 shrinks).

El i 270 mu=8.8 and El? 327 m,u=6.6 in ethanol TLC showed a single spot. The material is essentially pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-ll-keto-1-2a-iodo-cholanate.

EXAMPLE 5 Methyl 3a-acetoxy-1JB-hydroxy-I2a-iado-clzolanate using NIS in aqueous dioxane and modified isolation procedure To a solution of 5.26 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate in 210 ml. of purified dioxane and 79 ml. of water, 0.6 ml. of 70-72% HClO Where added followed by the addition of 3.311 g. of N-iodosuccinimide. The mixture was stirred magnetically in a stoppered flask at room temperature for 28 minutes. The NIS dissolved readily to form a brown solution from which crystals separated after 18 minutes. 8 ml. of freshly prepared 5% w./v. aqueous Na SO solution were added when the color was discharged. The colorless mixture was concentrated in vacuo to a small volume, diluted-with 480 ml. of water and cooled for 2 hours at 10 C. and then for 4 hours at 0-5 C. Filtration, washing with water and drying at 54 C./l0 mm. for 16 hours gave 6.949 g. (98.95%) of a nearly colorless solid, M.P. 123 C., analyzing greater than 90% methyl 3a-acetoxy-llB-hydroxy-l2a-iodo-cho-' lanate by TLC. A 6.633 g. portion of this crude product was dissolved in 500 ml. of distilled methanol and the solution was concentrated on a steam bath until crystalization commenced. 5.393 g. (81.3%) of the product was recovered. Analysis by TLC showed only one spot.

EXAMPLE 6 Methyl 3a-acetoxy-1Ifi-hydroxy-I2u-iod0-cholanate using NIS in aqueous t-butanol To a solution of 0.5 g. of methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate in 20 ml. commercial tertiary butanol and 15 ml. water, 5 drops of 70-72% HClO were added, followed by 0.337 g. NIS. The mixture, protected from light, was stirred at room temperature for 25 minutes, crystallization having commenced after 3 /2 minutes from the addition of NIS. 1 ml. of freshly prepared aqueous 5% Na SO solution was added when the color was discharged. The

bulk of solvent was removed in vacuo at 35-40 C. (bath temp), the residue diluted with about 150 ml. Water, kept under refrigeration for 4 /2 hrs. The crude iodohydrin was then filtered off, washed with water to pH-6 and dried for 16 hrs. at 45/ 10 mm. overnight. Wt. of colorless solid: 0.640 g. (95.9%), M.P. 129 decomp.

Ellg' 260 m =10.2 in ethanol TLC showed 3 spots with the middle being 90%.

A 0.61 g. portion of the crude iodohydrin was dissolved in .15 ml. of boiling acetone, diluted with 10 m1. of methanol and concentrated on the steam-bath until crystallization commenced in the hot. After standing under refrigeration for 18 hrs., the crystals were filtered off, washed with cold (12 C.) methanol and dried at 45 10 mm. for 4 hrs. Wt. of colorless crystals: 0.525 g. (86%) M.P. 144-145 decomp. TLC showed a single spot.

EXAMPLE 7 Methyl 3a-acetoxy-I1fi-hydmxy-IZu-iodO-Cholanate using HOI generated in situ from HgO-I To a cloudy solution of 0.215 g. of methyl Ba-aCCtOXY A -cholenate in 8 ml. of purified dioxane and 3 ml. distilled water, 0.135 g. of red HgO and 0.160 g. of powdered iodine were added, followed by 2 drops of 7072%' HClO The mixture protected from light, was stirred at room temperature for 13 minutes, crystallization having commenced within 2 minutes. 30 drops of freshly prepared aqueous 5% Na SO solution wereadded and the resultant yellow mixture concentrated in vacuo at 35-37 C. (bath temp.) to a small volume, the residue diluted with water and kept under refrigeration for 4 {"E 260 m .=9.6 in ethanol TLC showed 3 spots with the middle one being A 0.245 'g. portion of the crude iodohydrin was crystallized from methanol at low temperature (below 10 C.) for 69 hrs., the crystals filtered off and washed with cold (10 C.) methanol, to give colorless needles (0.199

9 g.; 81.2%), M.P. 137 C. decomp. TLC showed a single spot.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of 11 -hydrxy-I2 -i0d0-pregnane-3:ZO-dione from -pregnene-3 :ZO-dione using NIS in aqueous dioxane To a magnetically stirred solution of l g. of A -pregnene-3:20dione in 30 ml. of peroxide-free dioxane and 17 ml. of distilled water, 10 drops of 70-72% HClO were added, followed by 0.9 g. NIS. The stirring was continued at room temperature for 25 minutes, crystallization having commenced after about 3 /2 minutes. 3 ml. of freshly prepared aqueous 5% Na SO solution were added when the color was discharged. After removal of bulk of solvent in vacuo at 35-40 C. (bath temp.), the residue was diluted with Water and the mixture refrigerated for 23 hrs. It was then filtered, washed with water to pH-6 and dried at 48/ 10 mm. for 17 hrs. to give an almost colorless solid (1.350 g.; 92.6%), M.P. 158195 C. decomp.

1 259 m =13.1 in ethanol E1 2, 260 m =13.1 in ethanol TLC showed essentially a single spot. For analysis, a 0.402 g. sample was crystallized from ethyl acetate (dissolved in 150 ml. and boiled down to about 60 ml.) under refrigeration for 16 hrs. to give pure 11,8-hydroxy- 12m-iodo-pregnane-3:20-dione as a faintly yellow solid (0.332 g. M.P. 161-162 C. (decomp.),

260 m =13.65 in ethanol [111 =+46.92 C. (c.=0.5, purified dioxaue). The iodohydrin is only sparingly soluble in most organic solvents.

Analysis.Found: C, 54.87; H, 6.86; O, 10.19 and I, 27.49%. C H O I requires C, 55.02; H, 6.76; O, 10.47 and I, 27.68%.

LR. bands (KBr): 3430, 1716, 1684, 1437, 1387, 1364, 1327, 1296, 1265, 1218, 1206, 1187, 1164, 11 12, 1077, 1016, 1001, 967, 942, 805, 777, 760, and 687 cmr The following examples illustrate, procedure for deiodination of the 12-iodo-intermediates by hydrogenolysis in the presence of Raney nickel. The Raney nickel catalyst used in these examples was obtainedfrom the manufacturer in the form of an aqueous suspension. This was acidified with glacial acetic acid and, after a short time, was filtered. The catalyst on the filter was washed with distilled water until the washings were almost neutral and then with an organic solvent (e.g., methanol) to displace water. The catalyst, slightly moist with the organic solvent, was used as such.

EXAMPLE 9 Methyl 3oz acetoxy 11B hydroxy-cholanate by hydrogenolysis of iodohydrin in pressure of Raney nicket at elevated pressure (a) A solution of 5.39 g. of crystallized methyl 3ozacetoxy-llfi-hydroxy-12a-iodo-cho1anate from Example 5) in 108 ml. of distilled benzene and 144 ml. of distilled methanol was mixed with 54 g. of Raney nickel in an autoclave fitted with a mechanical stirrer. The autoclave was closed and the air was displaced by repeated flushing with hydrogen. The pressure was then increased to 50 p.s.i. (about 3 /2 atmospheres) and the mixture was stirred for 6 hours during which time the temperature gradually rose from 27 C. to 32 C. A sample taken after 3 hours of agitation showed the presence of about 20% of the starting iodohydrin while another sample at the end of 6 hours showed complete absence of the starting iodohydrin. The mixture was filtered through asbestos fiber and the residue was washed with benzene. The combined filtrate and washings were concentrated in vacuo to about 250 ml., washed with water twice, dried over Na SO and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to leave 4.18 g. (99%) of a colorless solid having a melting :point 144148 C. This product was substantially pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-11,8-hydroxy-cholanate. (This compound is described by Lardon and Reichstein, Helv. Chim. Acta, 26, 586 (1943), and Wintersteiner and Moore, J. Biol. Chem., 162, 732 (1946). They give a melting point of 146-8 C. for the pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-1lp-hydroxy-cholanate.)

(b) To a solution of 10 g. of crude (uncrystallized) methyl 3m acetoxy 1IB-hydroxy-12a-iodo-cholanate in 200 ml. of distilled benzene and 260 ml. of distilled methanol, 1.57 g. of fused anhydrous sodium acetate and 19.5 g. of Raney nickel were added and the mixture hydrogenated in the autoclave as before for 2 hrs. at 100 p.s.i. during which time the temperature gradually rose from 24 C. to 32 C. Isolation of the product as in (a) above gave methyl 3u-acetoxy-1lfi-hydroxy-cholanate as a pale yellow solid (7.94 g.), M.P. 141-146 C.

A portion (0.628 g.) of the preceding solid was crystallized by dissolution in 25 ml, ether, concentration of the solution on the steam-bath, dilution with hexane and further concentration until crystallization commenced. After refrigeration overnight, the crystals were filtered off, washed with cold hexane and dried at 54/10 mm. to give 0.565 g. of pure methyl 3a-acetoxy-11fihydroxy-cholanate, M.P. 146-149 C., [a] +56.54 (C.=1.0; CHCl This represents an overall yield of 91.5% based on starting uncrystallized iodohydrin.

Another portion (0.702 g.) was crystallized from methanol under refrigeration overnight to give 0.625 g. (89%) of pure methyl 3u-aoetoxy-1lfi-hydnoxy-cholanate, M.P. 148-150" C., [a]; +57.35 (C.=1.0; CHClg). This represents an overall yield of 90.6% based on starting uncrystallized iodohydrin.

(0) Using crystallized iodohydrin in procedure (b) above, a quantitative yield of pure methyl 3a-acetoxyllfi-hydroxy-cholanate, M.P. 147-149" C, was obtained. Crystallization from methanol in 92% yield, raised the M.P. to 148-150 C;

Procedure (b) of this example used sodium acetate for removal of H1, as produced, and therefore, required less Raney nickel than in procedure (a).

' EXAMPLE 10 Methyl 3a-acet0xy11fl-hydr0xy-cholamzte by hydrogenolysis of iodohydrin in presence of Raney nickel at atmospheric pressure A mixture of 76 mg. of crystallized methyl 3a-acetoxy- 1l S-hydroxy-l2a-iodo-cholan-ate (prepared as in Exam- .ple 5) and 0.7 g. of Raney nickel in 1.5 ml. of distilled benzene and 2 ml. of distilled methanol was stirred magnetically in a hydrogen atmosphere at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure for 17 hours. The mixture was filtered through asbestos fiber and the residue washed with ether. Evaporation of the combined filtrate and washing in vacuo at 50 C. (bath temp.) left 0.61 g. of a solid. This was dissolved in benzene, the benzene solution was washed twice with water, dried over Na SO and evaporated in vacuo to leave crude methyl 3a-acetoxy-l1/8-hydroxy-cholanate as a colorless solid (57 mg; 92%). A 42 mg. portion was crystallized from hexane at 10 C. to give 26 mg. of colorless crystals, melting point 148-150 C. TLC showed this product to be substantially pure methyl 3a-aoetoxy-llfi-hydroxy-cholanate.

In a similar manner the procedures of the foregoing examples may be applied to other A -steroid compounds to provide the corresponding llB-hydroxy-12a-iodo compounds and deiodinated llp-hydroxy and ll-keto derivatives.

We claim:

1. A process for the preparation of a 1lfi-hydroxy-l2aiodo cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, comprising reacting the corresponding A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with hypoiodous acid to cause HOI to add across the A -double bond.

2. A process for the preparation of a l1 6-hydroxy-l2aiodo cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, comprising reacting the corresponding A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with hypoiodous acid generated in situ in an aqueous organic solvent medium to cause HOI to add across the A -double bond.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the hypoiodous acid is generated from N-iodosuccinimide in the aqueous organic solvent medium containing the said A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound. 7

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the hypoiodous acid is generated from mercuric oxide and iodine in the aqueous organic solvent [medium containing the said A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound.

5. The process of claim 2 wherein the organic solvent of the aqueous organic solvent medium is selected from the group consisting of tertiary butanol and dioxane.

6. A process for the preparation of a 1l/3-hydroxy-l2uiodo-steroid compound of the bile acid series, comprising reacting the corresponding AQ-steroid compound of said series with hypoiodous acid in the presence of HCIQ; in

an aqueous organic solvent medium.

7. A process -for the preparation of methyl 3a-acetoxyl1B-hydroxy-12a -iodo -cholanate comprising reacting methyl 3a-acetoxy-A -cholenate with hypoiodous acid in an aqueous organic solvent medium in the presence of HClO; to cause HOI to add across the A l-double bond.

8. A process for the preparation of an ll-oxygenated cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound in greater than 50% yield from the corresponding A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene comprising reacting said A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene with hypoiodous acid in an aqueous solvent medium to provide the corresponding llB-hydroxy-12a iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, and reducing said llfi-hydroxy- 12a-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound by catalytic hydrogenolysis to replace the l2a-iodo-substituent with hydrogen.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the llfi-hydroxy- 12a-iodo-steroid compound is oxidized to the corresponding ll-keto-lh-iodo-steroid compound and the IZrx-iOdO- substituent is replaced by hydrogen by treatment of the 1 l-keto- 12-iodo-steroid with Zn-AcOH.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the 12a-iodo-substituent is replaced by treatment of the 11 8-hydroxy-l2w,

is carried out in the presence of an alkali metal salt of a lower alkanoic acid which reacts with hydroiodic acid so as to remove hydroiodic acid from the sphere of the reaction.

14. The process of claim 11 wherein the hydrogenolysis isconducted under pressure of about 2-7 atmospheres. 15. The process of claim 11 wherein the hydrogenolysis is conducted in an anhydrous solvent mixture comprising benzene and methanol.

16. A process for replacing the 12a-iodo-substituent of a 11/8 hydroxy-12a iodocyclopentanopolyhydrophcnanthrene with hydrogen comprising treating said llfi-hydroxy-l2u-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene in an anhydrous solvent medium with hydrogen in the presence of non-alkaline Raney nickel catalyst and in the presence of an alkali metal salt of a 'lower alkanoic acid to remove HI from the sphere of the reaction as it is generated.

17. A process for the preparation of a llfi-hydroxy- 12u-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound comprising reacting the corresponding A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with hypoiodous acid ,in an aqueous organic solvent selected from the group consisting of tentiary butanol and di-oxane, in the presence of HCIO to cause HOI to add across the A -double bond, concentrating the resulting solution by distillation 'in vacuo to remove a major portion of the organic solvent, and precipitating the llfi-hydroxy-l2a-iodo-cycl0- pentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound by combining the concentrated solution with water.

18. A process for. the preparation of a llp-hydroxy- 12u-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, comprising reacting the corresponding A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with hypoiodous acid generated in situ from mercuric oxide and iodine in an aqueous organic solvent selected from the group consisting of tertiary butanol and dioxane, in the presence of H010 to cause HOI to add across the A -double bond, concentrating the resulting solution by distillation in vacuo to remove a major portion of the organic solvent, precipitating the lLB-hYdI'OXY-lZcz-iOdO-StfllOid compound by combining the concentrated solution with water, treating the precipitated compound wtih aqueous KI solution to remove mercuric impurities, and crystallizing the treated 1 l B-hydroxy-l 2e-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenan- 20. A process for the preparation of methyl 3a-acetoxyk llfl-hydroxy-cholanate from methyl 3m-acetoxy-A cholenate comprising adding HClO and N-iodosuccinimide to an aqueous dioxane solution of said A -steroid to thereby generate hypoiodous acid and cause HOI to add across the A -double bond, isolating the resulting iodohydrin, and subjecting said iodohydrin to hydrogenolysis in the presence of a Raney nickel catalyst under super,-

atmospheric pressure to substantially completely replace the nuclear iodine with hydrogen. 21. A process for the preparation of 1lfi-hydroxy-12e iodo-pregnane-3z20-dione from A -pregnene-3z20-dione comprising adding H010 and N-iodosuccinimide to an aqueous dioxane solution of said A -steroid to thereby generate hypoiodous acid and cause HOI to add across the A -double bond, isolating the resulting iodohydrin by precipitation with water, and crystallizing the isolated compound from an organic solvent.

22. A process for the preparation of an ll-oxygenated cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound in greater than 50% yield from the corresponding A cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound comprising reacting said A -cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with hypoiodous acid in an aqueous organic solvent medium to provide the corresponding 11,8-hydroxy-12a-iodoy p uopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, oxidizs said 1lfl-hydroxy-l2e-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydro- 13 14 phenanthrene compound to the corresponding ll-keto- References Cited by the Examiner 12a-iodo-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound, UNITED STATES PATENTS and treating the said 1l-keto-12a-iodo-cyc1opentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound with Zn-AcOH to replace 2,403,683 7/1946 i f' 26O 397'1 the IZa-iOd-O substituent with hydrogen. 5 2,791,593 5/1957 Dlerassl 260 39747 23. The process of claim 16 wherein the alkali metal 2,986,560 5/1961 Wettstem at 260 239'55 salt of a lower alkanoic acid is sodium acetate. LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. 

6. A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A 11B-HYDROXY-12AIODO-STEROID COMPOUND OF THE BILE ACID SERIES, COMPRISING REACTING THE CORRESPONDING $11-STEROID COMPOUND OF SAID SERIES WITH HYDROUS ACID IN THE PRESENCE OF HCLO4 IN AN AQUEOUS ORGANIC SOLVENT MEDIUM.
 22. A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN 11-OXYGENATED CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND IN GREATER THAN 50% YIELD FROM THE CORRESPONDING $11-CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND COMPRISING REACTING SAID $11-CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND WITH HYPOIODOUS ACID IN AN AQUEOUS ORGANIC SOLVENT MEDIUM TO PROVIDE THE CORRESPONDING 11B-HYDROXY-12A-IODOCYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND, OXIDIZING SAID 11B-HYDROXYL-12A-IODO-CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND TO THE CORRESPONDING 11-KETO12A-IODO-CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND, AND TREATING THE SAID 11-KETO-12A-IODO-CYCLOPENTANOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENE COMPOUND WITH ZN-ACOH TO REPLACE THE 12A-IODO SUBSTITUENT WITH HYDROGEN. 